Apr16
Issue 6
April 2016 |
1
Contents
Welcome to The Insiter Monthly! Is it just us, or is the weather getting hotter and hotter by the minute? Makes us almost forget that we’re in April and not August! So as you all gear your air conditions and fans to cool off the coming days, us Insiters are providing you with some leasure reading with through April’s dose of The Insiter Monthly. Meet the newly established organisation GEM (Gender Equality Malta) through Mel McElhatton’s article. Following that, you will find the superb short story Drink by Kurt Abela. Last, but definitely not least, you can read SHS’ article about the work that the organisation does on campus.
3
Go on to the next page! It’s where all the fun starts. Nicole Borg Executive Editor
5
Contents 3 Do You Want The E(Quality?) 5 Drink
.
7 #OrganisationsPOV - Studenti Harsien Socjali 7 Executive Committee
Writers and Photographers
Matthew Charles Zammit Johann Agius Kristina Saliba Nicole Borg
Mel McElhatton Kurt Abela SHS
Administrative Team
Federico Barbaro-Sant Siobhan Vassallo Elisa Calleja Cyrielle Delmas Charles Mercieca
Deborah Faye Mercieca Jessica Arena Matthew Debattista Dionne Taryn Gatt Melissa McElhatton Sara Ezabe
Media Team
Magazine Design Elisa Calleja
2
| November 2015
Cover Photo © Siobhan Vassallo 2014
University Life
Do you want the E(quality?) Mel McElhatton Equality - the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities. It is equality that the modern world has been striving for,through any means necessary. From demonstrations to policies, from industrial actions to legislation, pressure groups have pushed for equality in all spheres, and Malta is not any different. However, when it comes to pressure groups, there seems to be a lack of youth-led, nongovernmental organizations focused on equality. It was from this realisation that
Gender Equality Malta (GEM) was born. GEM is a newly instituted non-profit, nongovernmental organization, led by youth. The organization aims to raise awareness and instigate social dialogue, on issues pertaining to gender and gender equality. Currently, members of Parliament are discussing changes in the IVF legislation – including whether or not to begin providing the option of embryo freezing. This has once again brought to the forefront the discussion of the highly-controversial, yet simultaneously
April 2016 |
3
University Life
GEM wants to open the doors for civil mannered discussions.
“
‘inescapable argument on abortion’. While discussions on such controversial subjects tend to turn into hot headed arguments, GEM wants to open the doors for civil mannered discussions. The ultimate aim of the organization is the provision of equal rights and opportunities between genders, as well as advocating for the rights which are owed to a particular gender, without bias or prejudice.
The organization will not just focus on fighting for equal rights: for what is the point of having the legislation or the policy, without the awareness or knowledge about it? In order to facilitate discussion and awareness on equality, GEM will also organize events and conduct campaigns in order to reach as much of society as possible. The newly-founded organization is currently comprised of five executive members: Johann Agius, Melanie Bonnici Bennett, Denise Grech, Emily Mifsud, Nico Muscat and myself (Mel McElhatton). Furthermore, various youths have also expressed an interest in being active members. The areas of expertise of the members vary greatly, and thus, we feel that we would be better capable of viewing gender equality in a holistic way. However, more people are needed to succeed in all the projects we have in mind, therefore, if you are interested in equality, and you want to be involved in pushing for equality in our society, contact us on mgenderequality@gmail.com.
-
-
4
| April 2016
Arts
Drink KURT ABELA A vendor in black cleared his throat and rang the doorbell, with a box of ‘Life’ at his side. A man opened the door half-heartedly, and was presented with a vigorous speech. “My dear sir, you have been lucky enough to become the latest winner of our lottery! Your prize is a box of our world-acclaimed product. Enjoy it while you can; it will definitely spice up your life.” The vendor then pushed the box into the man’s arms and was off. The man went back inside the house, perplexed by the sudden arrival of the vendor, and his unexpected gift. He went into his study, which was covered in lab results and interpretations of data. He ripped off the top of the box to reveal its contents. Quite surprised, he found a variety of wine bottles inside. Intrigued, he pulled out one at random. The glass of this bottle was of a violet colour and the label said, ‘Pride’. The man popped the bottle open and poured some of the viscous liquid into a cocktail glass. He sniffed at the wine and took a sip. It was sweet, with the faint taste of lipstick. Suddenly, he felt different. He knew his wife was at home, but he felt alone. Though full, full of everything he had ever done. His scientific accomplishments became more significant, and his failures negligible. He was above all, and undeniably, perfect. His wife entered the room to check on him, and saw something different in her husband, but did not remark on it. The man’s feelings faded away as quickly as they had taken over his time, only he was thirsty for more.
The following day, the man was drawn back to the box in his study. He opened it again, and pulled out another bottle. This one was red and the label said, ‘Despair’. The man popped the bottle open and poured some of the treacly liquid into a cocktail glass. He drank the wine. This had no conspicuous taste at first, but left a metallic aftertaste of blood. Suddenly, something changed. He felt as if he was under a looking glass, being scrutinised by his superiors. His scientific failures were crushing, and it was all his fault. He had misinterpreted the data, and the data ruined his life. He wanted to break down, cry, then get up and destroy everything around him. The world was against him, and he was only a stain in its history. His wife came into the room to check on him, and saw something peculiar in her husband, but did not intervene. The man’s feelings faded away as quickly as they had taken over his system, only still he was thirsty for more.
wished, and his downfall was their fault. They were to blame; everyone was an abomination. Humanity was the embarrassment of creation; God’s error. His wife came into the room, but had no time to think. The man slapped her across her face, and she screamed in shock and pain. There was certainly something wrong with her husband. The man’s feelings were fading; however, he did not want them to dissolve. He searched in the box, he had to try another. He found the one he wanted, black, popped it April 2016 |
5
Arts
The man’s feelings faded away as quickly as they had taken over his system, only still he was thirsty for more.
“
That evening, the man was drawn back to the box in his study. This time, he felt around the bottles before he chose. The bottle selected was green and the label said, ‘Hate’. The man popped the bottle open and poured some of the thick liquid into a cocktail glass. He drank. The wine was bitter, and had the lingering taste of liquorice. Suddenly, something transformed him. Everything around him grew dark, everything was hazy. His failures were what they were, yet only now did he realise who was responsible for them. The lab technicians did not set up the experiment as he had wished, and his downfall was their fault. They were to blame; everyone was an abomination. Humanity was the embarrassment of
6
| April 2016
wished, and his downfall was their fault. They were to blame; everyone was an abomination. Humanity was the embarrassment of creation; God’s error. His wife came into the room, but had no time to think. The man slapped her across her face, and she screamed in shock and pain. There was certainly something wrong with her husband. The man’s feelings were fading; however, he did not want them to dissolve. He searched in the box, he had to try another. He found the one he wanted, black, popped it open, poured some of the syrupy liquid into a cocktail glass and drank the wine. He couldn’t have lived without the taste of ‘Death’. A week after the man’s funeral, his wife was in his study. She had cried enough, and was ready to start living again. She still wondered what had gone into her husband before he died. She was curious. She then saw a box in the study, its lid nowhere to be found, and filled with different wine bottles. Unfortunately, she was tempted to taste.
University Life
#OrganisationsPOV
Studenti Ħarsien Soċjali . SHS – Studenti Harsien Socjali is a students’ organisation which aims at enhancing the University experience of social work and social policy students. This is done by being a bridge between the students, the department and relevant entities, and also promoting opportunities for students. SHS strives to encourage students to integrate and communicate with others from different years to create a positive atmosphere for students and enable peer-learning. SHS plays an important role in providing opportunities for its members to learn further about social work and social policy as professions. Ultimately students are encouraged to participate and be part of the organisation and put in practice what they are learning academically. This is done through various activities such as the SHS voluntary experiences and awareness raising events on campus. As many active students may suggest, the experience of such involvement has strong positive results on a young persons’ development and their skills. Throughout this year SHS has been focusing mainly on the sustainability of the organisation. We believe that by greater involvement of the students, SHS would be able to establish a pattern of continuity. Currently SHS is planning on holding an evaluation session of the organisation, organising two voluntary experiences and having another event on campus. We plan to continue engaging our students and encouraging them to participate in the organisation’s functioning.
“Social Work is the profession that helps the most vulnerable by promoting development and increasing wellbeing.” Jennifer Polidano, 1st year Social Work
“To me social work is a practice based profession which targets vulnerable individuals with the aim of maximising their well-being/improving their situation. The aim of social work is to promote social justice and create a change which despite it being a long process is itself rewarding.” Roberta Micallef, 2nd year Social Work “Social policy is the sociological context of the socio economic well-being of a country, where efforts are done to seek the long term stability and prosperity of society.” Justin Attard, 2nd year Social Policy “Social work goes beyond solving people’s problems, it aims at empowering people to be able to solve their own problems and improve their own conditions in the future” Kay Gauci, 3rd year Social Work “Social Policy is the tool to evaluate and develop services and policies that enhance the well-being of the citizens.” Tracy Glynn, 3rd year Social Policy “For me social work is the chance to help vulnerable people overcome burdens and obstacles to achieve the lifestyle they deserve.” Cheryl Xerri, 4th year Social Work “Social Policy is a tool that helps you to think in a critical manner and advance in your professional career.” Mauro Abela, 4th year Social Policy April 2016 |
7
8
| April 2016